Leadership is an art and science that requires a unique set of skills and practices. Great leaders distinguish themselves through their behaviors, decision-making, and the way they guide their teams. In this article, we’ll explore the 15 things great leaders do differently and how these qualities set them apart from average leaders. By understanding and embracing these traits, you can enhance your leadership effectiveness and inspire others to perform at their best.
They Lead with Clarity
Great leaders always have a clear vision and are able to communicate it effectively. Leading with clarity means providing direction, setting clear goals, and ensuring that everyone understands their roles and objectives.
Why It’s Important:
Clarity in leadership eliminates confusion, aligns teams, and ensures that everyone is working toward the same goal. This creates a sense of purpose and drives productivity.
How to Implement:
- Set clear expectations: Clearly communicate your vision, goals, and the roles your team members play in achieving them.
- Use simple language: Avoid jargon or overly complicated explanations. Make your message easy to understand for everyone.
They Build Trust First
Trust is the foundation of any successful team. Great leaders build trust by being transparent, reliable, and consistent. Without trust, teams can’t collaborate effectively, and performance will suffer.
Why It’s Important:
Trust fosters open communication, promotes collaboration, and creates a positive work environment. When trust is present, team members feel safe to contribute ideas and take risks.
How to Implement:
- Be consistent: Follow through on your commitments and actions.
- Be transparent: Share important information with your team and involve them in decision-making.
They Create Space for Ownership
Great leaders empower their team members by creating space for ownership. This means allowing team members to take responsibility for their work, make decisions, and lead projects.
Why It’s Important:
When people feel ownership over their work, they become more engaged and motivated. This not only improves individual performance but also boosts overall team productivity.
How to Implement:
- Delegate authority: Trust your team members with important tasks and decision-making.
- Encourage initiative: Support your team in taking ownership of their projects and ideas.
They Ask Better Questions
Great leaders ask the right questions to understand issues, gather feedback, and inspire innovation. They don’t just provide answers but encourage critical thinking and problem-solving.
Why It’s Important:
Asking the right questions fosters a culture of curiosity, exploration, and improvement. It also encourages team members to think creatively and contribute ideas.
How to Implement:
- Ask open-ended questions: Encourage discussion by asking questions that stimulate thought and conversation.
- Challenge assumptions: Ask questions that challenge the status quo and encourage innovative thinking.
They Listen More Than They Speak
The best leaders understand the importance of listening. Instead of dominating conversations, they take time to listen to their team members, understand their perspectives, and address their concerns.
Why It’s Important:
Listening builds rapport, shows empathy, and allows leaders to understand their team’s needs. It helps to make better decisions and create an inclusive, respectful environment.
How to Implement:
- Practice active listening: Focus on the speaker, ask clarifying questions, and avoid interrupting.
- Seek feedback regularly: Create opportunities for your team to share their thoughts and feedback with you.
They Develop People, Not Just Plans
Great leaders focus on developing the potential of their team members, not just on creating strategies and plans. They invest in their people’s growth and ensure that they have the skills and knowledge to succeed.
Why It’s Important:
By developing people, leaders create a culture of continuous learning and improvement. This leads to higher employee satisfaction, retention, and overall success.
How to Implement:
- Offer training and development opportunities: Provide your team with the tools and resources they need to grow.
- Encourage mentorship: Create mentoring relationships that allow senior team members to guide and develop juniors.
They Normalize Feedback
Great leaders don’t shy away from giving and receiving feedback. They create a culture where feedback is encouraged and used constructively to improve performance.
Why It’s Important:
Feedback is essential for growth and improvement. A culture of regular feedback helps identify areas for development and promotes a learning-oriented environment.
How to Implement:
- Give constructive feedback: Focus on specific behaviors and offer actionable suggestions for improvement.
- Request feedback: Regularly ask for feedback on your leadership style and areas for improvement.
They Model Calm, Not Chaos
In times of stress or uncertainty, great leaders stay calm and composed. They model a level-headed approach and ensure their team remains focused and confident, even in difficult situations.
Why It’s Important:
Remaining calm under pressure helps to maintain a stable work environment and fosters trust. It also ensures that decisions are made rationally, not impulsively.
How to Implement:
- Stay composed: In stressful situations, take a deep breath, stay focused, and avoid reacting impulsively.
- Provide reassurance: Offer clear guidance and support to your team, ensuring them that challenges can be overcome.
They Admit When They’re Wrong
Great leaders are not afraid to admit when they’ve made a mistake. This shows humility, accountability, and a commitment to continuous learning and improvement.
Why It’s Important:
Admitting mistakes helps to build credibility and trust. It also encourages team members to take ownership of their own errors and learn from them.
How to Implement:
- Acknowledge your mistakes: When you make a mistake, take responsibility and apologize.
- Learn from errors: Use mistakes as opportunities to grow and improve.
They Don’t Chase Credit
Great leaders focus on achieving results rather than seeking recognition. They prioritize the success of their team and are content with seeing others succeed.
Why It’s Important:
Leaders who don’t chase credit foster a culture of collaboration and teamwork. This leads to higher morale and better collective performance.
How to Implement:
- Share success: Celebrate the achievements of your team and give credit where it’s due.
- Stay humble: Focus on the bigger picture, rather than seeking personal recognition.
They Prioritize Relentlessly
Great leaders know how to prioritize effectively. They focus on the most important tasks and avoid getting sidetracked by less important activities.
Why It’s Important:
By prioritizing relentlessly, leaders ensure that resources and energy are directed toward the most impactful initiatives, leading to better outcomes.
How to Implement:
- Create a to-do list: List tasks by importance and urgency.
- Set clear goals: Focus on what’s most important for long-term success.
They Lead with Context, Not Control
Great leaders provide their team with context and the bigger picture, rather than micro-managing or controlling every action. They empower their team by giving them the information they need to make informed decisions.
Why It’s Important:
Leading with context fosters autonomy, accountability, and innovation. When team members understand the "why" behind decisions, they can contribute more effectively.
How to Implement:
- Provide information: Share the context behind decisions and strategies with your team.
- Empower your team: Trust your team to make decisions based on the information you provide.
They Protect Their Time
Great leaders understand the importance of time management and protect their time from distractions. They ensure they have time for strategic thinking, decision-making, and leadership.
Why It’s Important:
Protecting time allows leaders to focus on high-value tasks and avoid being overwhelmed by constant interruptions or unnecessary meetings.
How to Implement:
- Schedule focused time: Block off time for deep work, planning, and thinking.
- Say no when necessary: Learn to say no to non-essential meetings or tasks that don't contribute to your goals.
They Think Long-Term
Great leaders think beyond the immediate and plan for the long-term future. They set goals that will have a lasting impact and ensure their actions are aligned with their vision.
Why It’s Important:
Thinking long-term helps leaders navigate short-term challenges while keeping their focus on sustainable growth and success.
How to Implement:
- Set long-term goals: Focus on goals that align with your long-term vision and strategy.
- Plan strategically: Consider the future implications of your decisions and actions.
They Never Stop Learning
Great leaders are lifelong learners. They seek out new knowledge, stay curious, and constantly improve their skills and understanding.
Why It’s Important:
Continuous learning allows leaders to adapt to changes, remain innovative, and stay ahead of the curve in their industry.
How to Implement:
- Invest in your development: Take courses, read books, and attend seminars that enhance your knowledge and skills.
- Be open to feedback: Embrace constructive criticism and use it as an opportunity for growth.
Conclusion: The Path to Great Leadership
Becoming a great leader involves adopting behaviors and habits that foster trust, clarity, and collaboration. By leading with clarity, building trust, developing people, and prioritizing what truly matters, you can inspire your team and drive success. The 15 things great leaders do differently provide a roadmap for personal and professional leadership growth. By focusing on these qualities, you’ll not only become a more effective leader but also create an environment where everyone can thrive.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. How can I lead with clarity?
To lead with clarity, ensure you communicate your vision and goals effectively to your team. Provide context for decisions and make sure everyone understands their role in achieving the goals.
2. Why is prioritization important for leaders?
Prioritization is essential for ensuring that the most important tasks are accomplished first. It helps leaders focus on long-term goals and avoid distractions that may hinder progress.
3. How can I model calm in difficult situations?
To model calm, stay composed and avoid reacting impulsively during stressful times. Offer clear guidance and reassure your team that challenges can be overcome.
